Is This The Best Spinning Reel For Catfish? My Review of the Okuma Avenger!

Is the Okuma Avenger the best spinning reel for fishing for catfish? I think so and in this video, I tell you why! I think the baitfeeder or secondary drag system on it is great for fishing live baits for catfish and I also think it allows a catfish to pick up a bait, turn it in its mouth and get hooked before feeling the line resistance, making it great for fishing with circle hooks. There are lots of other features I like and I tell you all about them in this video!
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[@christopherjenkins2373]

I just got an Okuma ABF 80b that I plan to use surf fishing. I already have sn Okuma Avenger ABF 40 that I like a lot. I found this 80b on eBay still new in the box for less than half what they used to cost retail. The new Avenger ABF series are only different cosmetically. I think this bait feeder should work great for cut bait fishing for redfish and black drum. I won’t use if until the fall because I just had a hip replacement that has really slowed me down for a while. As a hobby I collect and restore vintage saltwater spinning reels made before 1980. I currently have 320 reels from 9 different countries in my collection with the oldest being a French Luxor from the late 1940s. I liked your info. about the Okuma baitfeeders. Thanks fir the help! - Chris

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

Absolutely. Thanks for checking out the video and hopefully you heal up good and get on some fish this fall

[@MrLadysman333]

I have the coronado baitrunner and thunnus they are all my favorite

[@MrLadysman333]

When you use braid you need add a topshot/ shock leader mono I use an fg knot it prevents your braid from snapping off when trying to cast heavy leads

[@user-sl8bu7dt2k]

i love okuma reels, I love my baitfeeder reels for catfish and carp.

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

I have been really happy with mine!

[@rubentorres4071]

Great video! Which model has a louder bait clicker?

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed! They're about the same, in my opinion.

[@danesterline3825]

How's the thumb feeling. I might get one of those reels to try for flatheads.

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

Thumb is getting better, thanks! The swelling is going down so I can move the thumb better haha. They're great reels and, for the money, I'd say they're best in class.

[@michaelapanasewicz9967]

I have a kastking sharky 3 baitfeeder and it is outstanding nice price also

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

I keep hearing about the KastKing Sharky 3. I may have to try that out!

[@coltonwalsh9974]

What is the rod you use with this

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

Nothing fancy. 7 or 7'6" medium heavy spinning rods. One of my main rods is a 7 ft surf rod I got from a bait and tackle shop. The other is, I believe, a Bass Pro Cat Buster or Catmaxx. I haven't dropped a ton of money on my cat rods for whatever reason

[@coltonwalsh9974]

@@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors I put my 6000 on a medium heavy 7.6 whisker seeker fmj, think that will be able to bring in fish over 20 with 60 pound braid?

[@TheIconicFisherman]

I think the KastKing sharky 3 baitfeeder reel is better simply due to the fact that it's 10 + 1 ball bearings and it has a carbon fiber drag system and it's still very affordable as a matter of fact it's not much more than the okuma avenger just it's better quality in my opinion.

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

I have heard of the KastKing from a couple people but haven't fished with it yet. Looks pretty affordable so it may be worth me picking one up to try side by side at some point in the future

[@TheIconicFisherman]

@@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors yeah definitely they're spinning reels are amazing

[@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors]

@@TheIconicFisherman Looks like their 5000 series are under $70 so that's reasonable. You ever try their smaller reels for walleye or crappie or no?

[@TheIconicFisherman]

@@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors oh yeah definitely, I have four of their KastKing Kong rods and two of them are medium 8 ft spinning rods. And the other two are medium heavy 8 ft spinning rods and I have the KastKing sharky 3 baitfeeder 3000 size with 30 lb braid on the medium rods. And on the medium heavy rods I have the KastKing sharky 3 baitfeeder in the 4000 series with 50 lb braid and it's braid ready on these reels. So you don't need a backing either so I tend to go with smaller reels with that considered. I use the lighter setups for anything from panfish, freshwater drum, and bass and I use the heavier setups for catfish, muskie, and pike. And I've had zero issues, the 3000 size holds 210 yards of 30 lb braid and the 4,000 size holds 225 yards of 50 lb braid. So honestly I don't see anyone needing to go bigger than the 4,000 size personally unless they're using monofilament.

[@TheIconicFisherman]

@@DeeplyDrivenOutdoors also the frame of the reel is actually graphite composite not plastic some of the reviews say it's plastic but it's not it's graphite composite. I guess a lot of people that reviewed the product didn't read the full description on their website. but these reels have held up to some monster fish in the 60 lb range for the 4000 size in particular.